Yah John...I think I am assuming that correctly now...now I see the Blue assigns to the red...and the red do the output to the desk....Thanks for making it clearer.
I do not think the Gain or trim is the answer for me...at this time line.
 
Again thanks all.
 
I will put solved in...and now I know it is output assignments I can look into it faster and learn.
 
 
Cheers!
 
 

Okay, glad you got it sorted.
It makes sense to do it as you have explained and not by the channel trim.
What interface you are using may also have controls on it to select the desired level for any number of outputs, separate to Sonar. Lower the volume there if possible for better gain staging.
Cheers

I'm very glad you have this problem solved. 

Thanks to you both for taking the time...cheers!
 
The A & L Desk doesn't seem to have a control for PC input, from what I have fiddled with, and in going through the manual trying to find....So..What comes out of the PC seems to go internally to the desk metering directly...Not sure why there is a mismatch in vu readings yet...
 
I guess we all have to set up our interfaces in some way so everything aligns and jells correctly....Each one is different, and until I get more familiar with things, and the PC working in some regards almost flawlessly now, and getting deeper into the software slowly, and in more focused minded states of Gleed details, (as I take off the trouble shooting hat, and start doing the thing I bought this for).....I will surely Learn the ins and outs of the whole thingamajig...in time, and several reads of the manuals, now that it is working , and I solve as I go forwards...with Help, and hopes at heart...I will now learn Mixing and Mastering Music Properly...without worrying about blowing my desk vu's or electronics, and getting the right volume levels in Sonar's Master blue Buss up to almost zero.....The green ZONE!...LOL
 
Again thanks!

Yes there is a learning curve but it is enjoyable.
I been recording and mixing since 1982 and am still learning to look.
For example, you list all your gear on the bottom page of your posts! LOLOL I totally missed looking at them till I wondered what the A&L desk was.LOL
It is an A&H R16, very nice. Firewire. There should be drivers and some sort of control of the Firewire ports. 
You might find hints on the A&H user forum. I am sure there would be one.
 
As for the power surges a power transformer with a coupled earth is best. Some " power conditioners" that cost big dollars are little more than surge protectors with a battery. It is not always a case of getting what you pay for. Look into it but get into Sonar and your desk. 
I'd love one!
 
 
 

So, there's a very simple explanation for your metering mismatch.... Sonar's meters measure dBFS, and the Allen & Heath mixer's meters measure dBu. In other words, Sonar=digital scale, A&H=analog scale. Generally speaking, -18dBFS = 0dBu, so a signal hitting -3 in Sonar will show +15 on the A&H's meters. The A&H is a British-made console, so I'm assuming they use the EU standard (American standard is more often -20dBFS=0dBu).
 
Long story short, don't pull down any trims or faders in Sonar to make your A&H's meters match Sonar's. They shouldn't match number-for-number. Take some time to understand the digital vs. analog signal measurement conventions, and you'll be a much happier camper. Oh, and there's nothing wrong with hitting the A&H with a -3dBFS signal - you won't burn out any electronics or fry the meter.
 
 

Sorry - one clarification. I skimmed one of your posts and noticed you had to pull the fader in Sonar down to -19.6 to get the A&H's meters to looks the same as Sonar's. That suggests the A&H is using the -20dBFS=0dBu convention.
You can always look at it this way too if it's easier to get your head around it: 0dBFS= +20dBu. Either way, under that convention, a signal showing -3 in Sonar should show +17 on your A&H.

<clarification edited for clarification>